Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-09-26
Lettcr from Manassas.

5eQiZeu Oh .laJ @oi LOU, .Vi buo pun PooS %
cemetery for the Confederate
dead who fell at the first an second battles
Of Manassas. The association was charter.
ed in the year 1874. A large number of
bodies were removed soon after the war by
their relatives but there are now proba
bly, about 700 lying in the cemetery Iii you
can call it one) and but few names have
been preserved. The majority, however,
have on the headboards that sad word, I'm
known" The ladies have done their whole
duty-the people of Manassas have also
done their duty, and it is to-day burning
disgrace to the Southern States that that
poor old cemetery has not been properly
finished years ago. Recollect, very few
Virginians, if any, are inferred there. There
is not single Southern State that has not
its representative there. Those who lie
there were the representatives of the army
of Northern Virginia. The Memorial Asso.
citation has appealed for help time and
again, but we regret to say their appeals
have been in vain. The Southern people
certainly have not forgotten the courage
and sense of duty which impelled those
poor fellows to sacrifice everything, even
life itself, for their country. Their graves,
like their memory should be kept green.
The deeds in which they bore so brave
part will live forever, but their names are
not recorded on the scroll Of history; 20
glory falls to their lot; they fll but humble
and forgotten graves. And yet they were
heroes, for did they not do nobly? We
have, in our own humble way, in tie last
fifteen years, tried through the columns Of
the GAZETTE to make that cemetery what
it ought to be-a beautiful resting-pace for
the brave, departed boys. Is there Gem
etery in the Southern States where lies the
bodies of those who fell in the "lost cause"
like this one at Manassas? l hope not one.
This glorious old Commonwealth, through
the influence of Senator E. q. Meredith and
Hon. Jos. Reid, its representative prince
William), succeeded in having resolution
passed giving the association 81 600. TWAS
no more than could have been expected Of
those distinguished gentlemen. They work
ed hard and their efforts proved successful.
But we are compelled to say, in looking
over the books of the association, we were
surprised to fad that such exorbitant prices
had been charged for the little work already
done in The cemetery. The ladies have
worked hard, and the little they have re-
ceived has gone to pay those exorbitant
charges. The outside world cannot and
will not understand why that cemetery has
not been finished before, and we humbly
beg these gentlemen who will have the con-
tract for finishing it, "Be moderate in your
for nothing, but rect Heat tie cause-it is a
glorious one. The amout on hand is about
81 400, and it will cost but o few hundred
dollars more to complete it. II we had
space we could fill the columns of the GA
IL Il
Robert e. Lee, was elected IN honorary
and If he had lived, in our judgment, that
neglected spot would now have been the
pride OF every Southern man. At the last
meeting Of tho association, held few weeks
ago, resolutions vera adopted to prepare
plans and specifications for monument,
with the probable cost of Same, and also the
cost of an iron fence, with the styles of the
same, to inclose said monument.
In company with Senator &. e. Meredith
we visited the large and extensive vineyard
OF Henry Wagner about ono mile from this
place. Mr. Wagner knows his business
thoroughly, and his wine is pronounced hy
jndges TO lie of superior kind The wine
ne has nov in his vaults will I've ready for
use next December. He is, besides, one OF
the most practical farmers in this section of
the country.
Rev. ]. J. Bowler, pastor OF the Catholic
church here, who succeeded Father Dono-
hue (who was stationed here for many years
and who WAS transferred 10 Richmond to
the regret, of not only his church, but Of the
community generality, is fast gaining
friends, for he is a young priest of brilliant
intellect, and is much beloved here.
Among the old reliable engineers on the
Virginia Midland we noticed az old friend,
Mike Lynch, who has been connected with
the road ever since its organization. In speak
ing about the old reliabes, we can't forgo
our old friend, Col. Jonas Fisher. who has
been connected with the Midland road for
over fifty years and Capts. jas. l.. Peyton,
one of the passenger conductors who has
been connected with the road for over 80
years, and one of the most obliging aud at
tentive conductors that ever travelled over
any road.
During q recent visit to Mr.. Robt. Port
ner'5 farm we find he has made many i'm
provements. The old Notifications there
are still updisturbed because they were
built by Alexandrans) and he has bestowed
considerable care and attention to it, beau
tifying it in various ways. In this connec
ton we are glad to see that one of AleXan-
drias industries, Portner's beer, is becoming
one of the institutions of this enlightened
age. Mr.. VIM. War6eld, who has been con
nected with Mr.. Portner for many years as
one of his trusted agents, passes here every
Tuesday to Danville, and returns on Satur.
day. 1t is almost impossible for him to Gil
his orders. He is q faithful agent and at
tends to his business strictly, and of course,
is highly respected by those having business
with him.
Politically speaking, everything is quiet
in this section. Ofcourse Moore, of Fairfax,
for Senator, will be elected, as will Capt
Tyler, who is running for the House of Dole.
gates from this county, but it behooves eve-
ry democrat to vots in November next
Judge Sangster, of Fairfax, said that his
county would be very close at the next cleo
tion, and that the man who had the most
money would carry it," but we beg leave to
differ with our old friend. Old Fairfax will
roll up a good majority for Moore and Simp.